EB-1 Visas

The EB-1 visas are employment-based immigrant visas.  EB-1 is short for “Employment-Based First Preference.”  The “First Preference” part of the name represents the fact that the EB-1 visas have a higher immigration priority than any of the other employment-based immigrant visa types.  This high priority frequently enables holders of EB-1 visas to avoid the waiting periods that can apply to many of the other employment-based immigrant visa types.  Another advantage that EB-1 visas have over the other employment-based types of immigrant visa is that EB-1 visas do not require a labor certification, reducing the time and expense needed to obtain EB-1 visas and eliminating the risk that the visa will be denied because a qualified U.S. worker can be found.  There are three different types of EB-1 visa.  The EB-1(a) visa is for “Aliens of Extraordinary Ability,” the EB-1(b) visa is for “Outstanding Researchers and Outstanding Professors,” and the EB-1(c) visa is for “Managers and Executive Transferees.”

Types of EB-1 Visa:

EB-1(a):       Alien of Extraordinary Ability

EB-1(b):       Outstanding Researcher/Outstanding Professor

EB-1(c):       Manager or Executive Transferee